The luxury, forest-enshrouded Rwanda lodges of One&Only Resorts are curating new wellness stays in 2024.
In the “land of a thousand hills”, verdant landscape and ancient forest wraps around the two very different but equally as enchanting One&Only resorts providing a luxurious base for exploration of Rwanda’s extraordinary natural landscape.
Perhaps the best known of the two, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest sits within eucalyptus forest on the edge of Volcanoes National Park—home to one of Rwanda’s two populations of mountain gorillas—in the north of the country. One&Only Nyungwe House then lies amid vibrant green tea plantations bordering Nyungwe National Park in the southwest.
Within these remote nature-immersed locations, each lodge places much of its focus on the wildlife experience these two distinct destinations afford, from gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park to going in search of chimpanzees, among an array of other primates, in Nyungwe — a national park that was given UNESCO status for the first time in late 2023 for its ancient rainforest, navigated on trails taking you to thundering waterfalls, and for its extraordinary abundance of endemic species.
Time at Gorilla’s Nest comes with insight into the protection of the mountain gorillas (including at the nearby Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) and stays at Nyungwe House also encompass first-hand experience of the local tea production. Both properties connect you with cultural cooperatives such as the Handspun Hope women’s crafts collective.
At each property, luxury lodges set amid or on the edge of towering forest are joined by cosy fireside lounge areas—stylishingly decorated with Rwandan crafts— and panoramic dining rooms spilling out to terraces, intimate spas and forest-view infinity pools. With an immersion into nature and outdoor activity at the centre of any stay, the lodges naturally lend themselves to wellness, which is an even greater focus for the resorts in 2024.
“Rwanda’s pristine natural landscapes are certainly a core factor in making this a wellness destination,” says Nitesh Ranjan, the wellness manager of One&Only Rwanda. “The lush rainforest and surrounding hills allow guests to heal the body and purify the mind.”
“These surroundings serve as the backdrop for immersive wellness experiences ranging from the profound connection with nature you get from gorilla trekking, aiding grounding and mental well-being, to the benefits of traditional healing practices (which are incorporated into the spa treatments).”
Wellness programs driven by the surrounding landscapes and Rwandan culture now pair spa treatments and mindfulness sessions with the lodge’s outdoor and cultural activities, which are all defined by the lodges’ eco-friendly practices (using natural products in spa treatments, for example). Bringing this sustainability ethos to the forefront of the experience, One&Only Rwanda aims to leave guests feeling rejuvenated and revitalised as well as connected to themselves, the environment and local community.
At the two resorts, yoga and meditation sessions take place on scenic terraces or clearings among the trees, mountain bikes are free to use, and the culinary creations of each restaurant showcase locally grown produce while also drawing inspiration from traditional African recipes. In addition, Nyungwe House’s three-day wellness journey incorporates nature-inspired boot camps, with fitness facilities at the resort including an open-air gym and boxing area.
As a part of its enhanced wellness offering, the resorts are introducing new signature spa experiences in 2024. At Nyungwe House, new signature spa treatments draw inspiration from the therapeutic properties of tea. At Gorilla’s Nest, eucalyptus and chocolate-inspired spa treatments pay tribute to the forest this lodge is immersed in.
“By incorporating locally sourced ingredients, like eucalyptus essential oils and tea infusions, our treatments provide an authentic and immersive wellness journey that celebrates the therapeutic qualities of each destination,” says Ranjan.
As much as 90 percent of the ingredients for the resorts’ spa treatments (such as baobab seed, rooibos and kigelia) are sourced from the African continent, with treatments like the Intonga Amaasatchi massages also drawing on African healing practices. “Each experience promotes holistic well-being and fosters a deep connection with nature,” Ranjan adds.
Making it easier to combine stays at its two resorts, One&Only Rwanda has also launched the new OneEscape incorporating stays in both places with a series of culturally and environmentally immersive experiences and a helicopter transfer between the resorts, which are otherwise several hours apart by road, through a new partnership with Rwanda’s Akagera Aviation.
Rwanda’s national airline, RwandAir— offering spacious and exceptional value business class seating—connects U.S. travelers with the country through a codeshare with Qatar, and the airline has plans to launch direct U.S. routes in the not too distant future.
An Africa-based tour operator such as East Africa specialist Cheli & Peacock Safaris can incorporate a One&Only stay with all in-country travel, additional local experiences along the way and time in the buzzing capital, Kigali, with the benefit of insider knowledge.
In Kigali, it’s worth booking a stay at luxury boutique hotel, The Retreat by Heaven. Built on a commitment to supporting the local community, a stay at this urban hideaway, which also has a spa and pool, ties fittingly in with a One&Only wellness retreat that immerses you in the nature-rich locale.
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